from tall and elegant to curvy and cuddly through the spectrum of body shapes and sizes, colours, creeds and personalities.

One thing remains constant…

a Mother’s love.

God gave us our very own and special Mother to love, nurture and protect us, teach us right from wrong, guide us along Life’s path and equip us with self esteem that we may grow and sculpt as people.

God bless all Mothers on this celebratory day.

And a poem:

The Watcher

by Margaret Widdemer
She always leaned to watch for us
Anxious if we were late,
In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate.
And though we mocked her tenderly
Who had such foolish care,
The long way home would seem more safe,
Because she waited there.
Her thoughts were all so full of us,
She never could forget,
And so I think that where she is
She must be watching yet.
Waiting ‘til we come home to her
Anxious if we are late
Watching from Heaven’s window
Leaning from Heaven’s gate.

Like this:

Our “How to Make Bread” recipe really does knead – get it? – the know-how on how to knead it so we’re setting out a few simple steps here for you to get to know how to work those magical few ingredients that make such a staple cupboard necessity for many.

Add the yeast liquid to the dry ingredients using a wooden spoon or fork until they are blended together.

Work the dough until all the ingredients are combined, the dough is smooth in appearance and leaves the sides of the bowl clean.

Kneading the Dough

This is the essential part of making bread. Kneading strengthens the gluten in the flour, making the dough elastic-like in texture and enables the dough to rise more easily.

Turn the dough out onto a flour-dusted work surface and knead it by folding it towards you then quickly and firmly pushing it down and away from you with the heel of your hand. Give the dough a quarter turn and continue kneading in the same way as described kneading towards you and then pushing the dough from you for about 10 minutes until it is firm, elastic and non-sticky.

Rising

Once kneaded, the dough is ready for rising. Place in a bowl and cover the bowl with cling film.

Rising times may vary with temperature. Allow 1.5 – 2 hours at room temperature for the dough to rise. It should be double in size and the risen dough should spring back to its original shape when gently pressed with a floured finger.

The dough’s rising time can be quickened by placing it in a warm place such as an airing cupboard or on top of a radiator for about 45-60 minutes until it is twice its original size.

A second, short 2 – 3 minutes kneading and then shape, pop onto a baking tray and put in the oven.

Our recipe for bread is in our “How to Make” series and is found here, at “How to Make Bread” http://wp.me/p3lk3r-ut

For regular cooking tips and food advice from the Cooking Duo, simply follow this blog by popping your email address in the box as indicated at www.forfoodlovers.wordpress.com or if you’re a blogger, too, Follow us. We want to get to know you, too! If you’re a fellow tweeter, we want to tweet with you, too! We’re @Love_Food_UK so let’s tweet together very soon! And you’ll find us on Facebook, Mumsnet Bloggers Network and Foodies100, too. See you over there soon, we hope! Happy bread making!